Multi-vessel reservoir assembly

ABSTRACT

A multi-vessel reservoir assembly is provided. The multi-vessel reservoir assembly comprises a first fluid vessel, a second fluid vessel, and at least one linkage positioned between the first and second fluid vessels. The at least one linkage serves to maintain the first and second fluid vessels in fixed and spaced-apart relationship relative to one another. The first and second fluid vessels are independent and separately operable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No.16/306,509, filed Nov. 30, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,940,977, which wasthe National Stage of International Application No. PCT/CA2017/050657,filed May 30, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/343,102, filed May 30, 2016, which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

FIELD

The present disclosure pertains to fluid reservoirs, and in particularto an automotive fluid reservoir assembly having multiple vessels, andmore particularly where each vessel of the reservoir assembly isindependently and separately-operable.

BACKGROUND

The automobile has a number of different fluid systems that provide forvarious operations, including hydraulic power transfer (i.e. as providedby brake, power steering and clutch fluids), lubrication (i.e. asprovided by engine and transmission oil), cooling (i.e. as provided byengine and AC coolant fluids), fuel (i.e. as provided by diesel andgasoline), and cleaning (i.e. as provided by windshield washer fluid).With the advancement of automotive technologies, in particular withcurrent mandates to reduce fuel consumption and reliance upon refinedpetroleum products, new engine systems with additional cooling and/orfluid management requirements are being introduced.

Of particular note are hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), plug-in hybridelectric vehicles (PHEV), and battery electric vehicles (BEV) which mayrequire two or more independent and separately-operable cooling systems,that is multiple systems operable under different temperature and/orpressure regimes. In the standard vehicle layout, manypackaging/component items for fluid systems are already fixed in place.Consequently, with the addition of new fluid system components, forexample coolant reservoirs for battery/motor coolant systems in HEV/PHEVvehicles, space constraints require new items to be housed within theexisting space allocated. An additional challenge is mounting attachmentpoints and hose routings may be considered hard points, requiringsolutions to work within the existing mounting and routing constraints.

In view of these various challenges, in particular to accommodateadditional fluid reservoirs in the engine compartment, there is anongoing need for new fluid management solutions.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the disclosure, provided is a multi-vesselreservoir assembly. The multi-vessel reservoir assembly comprises afirst fluid vessel, a second fluid vessel, and at least one linkagepositioned between the first and second fluid vessels. The at least onelinkage serves to maintain the first and second fluid vessels in fixedand spaced-apart relationship relative to one another. The first andsecond fluid vessels are independent and separately operable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the disclosure willbe apparent from the following description of the disclosure asillustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings,which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification,further serve to explain the principles of the disclosure and to enablea person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the disclosure.The drawings are not to scale.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of themulti-vessel reservoir assembly.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , through lineA-A.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , through lineB-B.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a first reservoir member of theembodiment to FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 a is a detailed view of a portion of the first reservoir memberof the embodiment to FIG. 1 , identified at C in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a second reservoir member of theembodiment to FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the first embodiment of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of themulti-vessel reservoir assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific embodiments of the present disclosure will now be describedwith reference to the Figures, wherein like reference numbers indicateidentical or functionally similar elements. The following detaileddescription is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limitthe disclosure or the application and uses of the disclosure. A personskilled in the relevant art will recognize that other configurations andarrangements can be used without departing from the scope of thedisclosure. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by anyexpressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field,brief summary or the following detailed description.

Turning now to FIG. 1 , shown is a reservoir assembly 10 that includesat least two independent and separately-operable vessels. For thepurposes of this description, the expression “independent andseparately-operable” is intended to define an arrangement where eachvessel forming part of the reservoir assembly 10 is capable ofindependent operation relative to the other vessel(s) forming part ofthe same reservoir assembly 10. For example, the operational temperatureand/or pressure of a first vessel in the reservoir assembly 10 may bedifferent from the operational temperature and/or pressure of a secondvessel forming part of the same reservoir assembly 10. In anotherexample, the type of fluid used in a first vessel of the reservoirassembly 10 may be an engine coolant, while the type of fluid used in asecond vessel forming part of the same reservoir assembly 10 may be abrake fluid. In yet another example, a first vessel in the reservoirassembly 10 may be pressurized, for example when used as a surge tank inan engine coolant system, while a second vessel forming part of the samereservoir assembly 10 is non-pressurized, for example when used as awindshield washer fluid reservoir. While the first and second vesselsmay be operated as part of the same fluid system, they may also be usedin an arrangement that has them hydraulically isolated from each other.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7 , the reservoir assembly 10 ispresented as a multi-vessel reservoir assembly 10, including a firstfluid vessel 20 and a second fluid vessel 22. The multi-vessel reservoirassembly 10 may be constructed in a number of ways, but as shown, it ispresented as an assembly of a first reservoir member 24 and a secondreservoir member 26. In this arrangement, the first reservoir member 24may be regarded as an upper portion (as shown in isolation in FIG. 5 ),while the second reservoir member 26 may be regarded as a lower portion(as shown in isolation in FIG. 6 ).

Each vessel generally includes a housing defining an internal volume.The vessel may also include a plurality of internal walls that subdividethe vessel, and therein the internal volume, into multiple sub-chambers.When subdivided, the sub-chambers may be arranged to provide a fluidpath that promotes the separation of gases and steam from the fluid(i.e. coolant), as generally known in the art. Having regard to FIG. 3 ,the first fluid vessel 20 includes a housing 28 and internal walls 30,therein defining sub-chambers 32 a, 32 b, 32 c. The second fluid vessel22 includes a housing 34 and internal walls 36, therein definingsub-chambers 38 a, 38 b, 38 c, 38 d, 38 e, and 38 f. It will beappreciated that the number, dimension and arrangement of thesub-chambers may be specifically selected for a particular application,and therefore variations of the arrangement exemplified herein arepossible. It will further be appreciated that in some embodiments, oneor both of the vessels may not contain any internal walls, thuspresenting an undivided internal volume. Within each of the first andsecond fluid vessels 20, 22 the respective sub-chambers areinterconnected via a series of openings 40 (see FIGS. 5 a and 6)provided on the internal walls 30, 36, establishing the fluid path thatpermits the fluid to move therethrough.

As best seen in FIG. 2 , the multi-vessel reservoir assembly 10 isformed to present a gap G between the first and second fluid vessels 20,22. In particular, the housings 28, 34 defining the internal volume ofeach of the first and second fluid vessels 20, 22 are generally separateand spaced-apart. The gap G serves to reduce the potential influence ofone vessel upon the adjacent vessel. For example, the gap G may serve asa thermal break between the first and second fluid vessels 20, 22,reducing thermal exchange therebetween. The gap G may also serve toreduce expansion issues, for instance where a first vessel is operatedat higher temperature and/or pressure and is likely to undergo moderatevessel expansion. With gap G, any such expansion of the first vessel asa result of temperature and/or pressure will have reduced influence onthe second vessel forming part of the same reservoir assembly.

Each fluid vessel provides at least one inlet/outlet port, which may bea singular port (i.e. when the vessel is configured for use under bothpressure and vacuum), or with multiple ports. In the present embodiment,each fluid vessel provides at least one inlet and at least one outlet.As shown, the first fluid vessel 20 provides a first inlet 42 configuredto receive fluid into the interior volume of the vessel 20, and a firstoutlet 44 configured to release/discharge fluid from the interior volumeof the vessel 20. The first fluid vessel 20, by virtue of the firstinlet 42 and the first outlet 44 may form part of a closed fluid loop,for example as would be found in an automotive coolant system. Thesecond fluid vessel 22 is similarly configured, with a second inlet 46and a second outlet 48, and may also form part of a closed fluid loop.

Each of the vessels also comprise a suitable fill aperture and closureto enable fluid (i.e. coolant) to be added and/or removed from theinternal volume, for example as would be required when filling and/orchanging the fluid contained therein. As shown, the first fluid vessel20 includes a first fill aperture 50 and a first closure 52 (see FIG. 1), while the second fluid vessel 22 includes a second fill aperture 54and a second closure 56 (see FIG. 1 ). The form of the fill aperture andclosure will depend on whether or not the vessel is intended to beoperated under pressure. Where the vessels are operated asnon-pressurized vessels, the area of the housing presenting the fillaperture may carry a suitable bead or collar on which a snap-fit closurecap can be fitted. Other arrangements for non-pressurized vessels mayinclude a closure cap configured for threaded or bayonet-styleengagement with the vessel housing. Where the vessels are operated aspressurized vessels, the area of the housing presenting the fillaperture may be provided with a threaded or bayonet-style interface toreceive a pressure cap (i.e. a radiator-style cap). Pressure caps areknown in the art, and generally provide an internal valve arrangement(i.e. a spring loaded disc valve) that opens to permit the venting offluid from the vessel when the pressure exceeds a predefined threshold.In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7 , the vessels are shown aspressurized vessels and the first and second closures 52, 56 are shownas respective first and second pressure caps 58, 60 (see FIG. 1 ). Inthe first fluid vessel 20, the first pressure cap 58 cooperates with afirst fluid release passage 62, while in the second fluid vessel 22, thesecond pressure cap 60 cooperates with a second fluid release passage 64(first and second fluid release passages 62, 64 can be viewed in FIGS.3, 5-7 ). The first and second fluid release passages 62, 64 eachcomprise an internally formed conduit that directs vented fluid to anarea below the reservoir assembly 10. It will be appreciated that thefirst and second pressure caps 58, 60 may also be configured to releasethe vented fluid directly from the respective cap, generally to an areaon top of the reservoir assembly 10.

The housing defining the first and second fluid vessels 20, 22 may beshaped/formed with features that enhance strength, in particular whenthe vessels are intended for use under pressure. For example, in theembodiment shown, the respective housing 28, 34 of each of the first andsecond fluid vessels 20, 22 may be formed with billows 66 as shown. Thepositioning of the billows 66 on the first and second fluid vessels 20,22 may coincide with the positioning of the respective internal walls30, 34 (as seen in FIG. 3 ), therein forming a network on internalcross-braces that serve to resist vessel deformation under pressure.

One or both of the first and second fluid vessels may also be fittedwith suitable sensors (not shown for clarity) to monitor the contentsthereof. For example, sensors may be used that detect operationalconditions including, but not limited to, temperature, pressure, andfluid level. One or both of the first and second fluid vessels may alsoinclude at least one suitable bracket (not shown for clarity) thatpermits the reservoir assembly to be mounted, for example in the enginecompartment of the vehicle.

Each of the first and second reservoir members 24, 26 forming themulti-vessel reservoir assembly 10 are separately injection molded, andare formed with a peripheral flange 70, 72 forming part of therespective housing 28, 34. The peripheral flanges 70, 72 mate at anassembly plane P1 (see FIG. 2 ), which generally divides the reservoirassembly into the upper and lower reservoir members. The first andsecond reservoir members 24, 26 are joined together at the assemblyplane P1 via the peripheral flanges 70, 72, as well as at intermediatepoints in gap G between the first and second fluid vessels 20, 22. Asshown, between the first and second fluid vessels 20, 22, the housings28, 34, separated by gap G, converge towards the assembly plane P1.Between the housings 28, 34, at least one linkage is provided tomaintain the first and second fluid vessels 20, 22 in fixed andspaced-apart relationship relative to one another.

At the assembly plane P1, at least one of the first and second reservoirmembers 24, 26 provides a linkage, herein referred to as a web to whichthe housings of the opposing reservoir member is connected. Withreference now to FIGS. 4, 5 a and 6, between sub-chambers 32 a, 38 a, aweb 74 a is provided on the second reservoir member 26. The web 74 a isconfigured for attachment to bond surfaces 28 a, 34 a provided on aportion of each of the housings 28, 34 defining sub-chambers 32 a, 38 aof the first and second fluid vessels 20, 22. Similarly, betweensub-chambers 32 b, 38 b, a web 74 b is provided on the second reservoirmember 26. The web 74 b is configured for attachment to bond surfaces 28b, 34 b provided on a portion of each of the housings 28, 34 definingsub-chambers 32 b, 38 b of the first and second fluid vessels 20, 22.Between sub-chambers 32 c, 38 c of the first and second fluid vessels20, 22, the first reservoir member 24 presents a web 74 c 1, while thesecond reservoir members 26 presents a web 74 c 2. The webs 74 c 1, 74 c2 are similarly joined together.

To enhance the strength of the joined interface, in particular in theintermediate area of gap G, additional surface area may be provided tothe housings 28, 34. Accordingly, an inside surface of the housings 28,34 of the first and second fluid vessels 20, 22, in particular thosejoined at the assembly plane P1 may be provided with one or more ribs 76(best seen in FIG. 5 a ) that present an additional joining surface 78at the interface between the first and second reservoir members 24, 26.The ribs 76 may also provide additional strength to the housings 28, 34,resisting deformation of the vessel wall under pressure. The first andsecond reservoir members 24, 26 may also be joined at intermediatepoints within each of the first and second fluid vessels 20, 22, namelyalong the interior walls 30, 36 defining the various sub-chambers.

The peripheral flanges 70, 72, as well as the various intermediatepoints of contact between the first and second reservoir members 24, 26may be joined using a variety of suitable methods that achieve aleak-tight seal. For example, the first and second reservoir members 24,26 may be joined by heat welding, a method of assembly generally knownin the art. It will be appreciated that other methods to achieve aleak-tight seal are known, and could be suitably implemented during theassembly of the multi-vessel reservoir assembly 10.

The linkage between the first and second fluid vessels 20, 22 mayadditionally include at least one primary connector element extendingacross the gap G between the adjacent but spaced-apart housings 28, 34.As shown, four primary connector elements 80 a, 80 b, 80 c, 80 d(collectively primary connector element 80; see FIG. 4 ) interconnectthe housings 28, 34 of the first and second fluid vessels 20, 22. Theprimary connector elements 80 may be oriented in a connector plane P2that is angularly offset in relation to the assembly plane P1 defined bythe peripheral flanges 70, 72. In the embodiment shown, the connectorplane P2 is generally perpendicular to the assembly plane P1, althoughother angular offsets may be selected, depending on the design of thereservoir assembly. The primary connector elements 80 are provided onboth the first and second reservoir members 24, 26, extending generallyupwards and generally downwards from the assembly plane P1.

In addition to the at least one web and at least one primary connectorelement, the linkage between the first and second fluid vessels 20, 22may additionally comprise a secondary connector element. As shown, twosecondary connector elements 82 a, 82 b (collectively secondaryconnector element 82; see FIG. 4 ) interconnect the housings 28, 34 ofthe first and second fluid vessels 20, 22. The secondary connectorelements 82 span the gap between adjacent primary connector elements 80.As shown, the secondary connector element 82 a spans the gap betweenprimary connector elements 80 a, 80 b, while the secondary connectorelement 82 b spans the gap between the primary connector elements 80 b,80 c. Accordingly, the area defined by the primary and secondaryconnector elements 80, 82, and the web 74 at the assembly plane P1defines an isolation pocket. As shown, two isolation pockets 84, 86 areprovided. In other areas without the secondary connector elements, thearea defined by the adjacent primary connector elements (for exampleprimary connector elements 80 c, 80 d), and the web 74 c 1 at theassembly plane P1 defines an isolation cavity 88.

The isolation pockets and isolation cavities incorporate features thatallow for drainage and/or equilibration of pressures. In particular, theisolation pockets may be subject to pressure differentials relative tooutside atmospheric conditions, generally arising when one of thevessels contains a high temperature fluid. An increase in temperature ofthe air contained within the isolation pocket could result in alocalized increase in pressure, which may influence the operation and/orperformance of the other vessel forming part of the same reservoirassembly. To ensure the separately-operable arrangement of the first andsecond fluid vessels 20, 22 the isolation pockets 84, 86 incorporate oneor more vent holes 90. As shown, each isolation pocket 84, 86 presentstwo vent holes, generally formed in a lowest portion, namely the web 74forming part of the intermediate contact area between the first andsecond fluid vessels 20, 22. In addition to ensuring the equilibrationof pressures, the vent holes permit for efficient fluid drainagetherefrom. Isolation cavities are generally subject to fluidaccumulation, in particular when presented with an open top portion.Accordingly, isolation cavities having an open top portion are providedwith at least one drainage hole, once again located towards a lowerregion to facilitate fluid drainage. As shown, the isolation cavity 88provides the drainage hole 92 at the intersection between the web 74 c 1and the primary connector element 80 d. It will be appreciated that theconfiguration of the vent holes 90 and the drainage holes 92 isexemplary, as other features to achieve drainage and/or venting may beincorporated. The intent is to ensure each of the isolation pockets andcavities permits for fluid drainage should any fluid accumulate therein,while also permitting for pressure equilibration with the outsideatmosphere. Fluids that may accumulate within the isolation pocketsand/or cavities that may necessitate drainage may include fluids ventedfrom the fluid vessels, fluids spilled in the course of filling and/orchanging the fluids contained in the fluid vessels, as well as rain,road spray and wash water. The provision of the vent holes 90 alsoreduces the likelihood of gases being trapped in the isolation pocketduring the welding operation, which could have adverse effects on theleak-tight seal intended to be formed therebetween.

To reduce the extent of thermal exchange or influence from one vessel toanother, the structures forming the interconnection between the firstand second fluid vessels 20, 22 may include features that reduce thecross-sectional profile. For example, the webs 74 presented along theassembly plane P1 between the first and second reservoir members 24, 26provide a channel 94 (see FIGS. 4 and 7 ) set at a generally transverseangle relative to the direction of thermal conductivity. As shown, eachof the webs 74 present a respective channel 94 on an underside thereof.It will be appreciated that similar channel structures may be providedon the other interconnecting structures, for example the primary andsecondary connection elements 80, 82. While the channel 94 is shown as acontinuous linear structure, the channel may also present along anon-linear path (i.e. sinusoidal, zig-zag, etc.). The channel 94 mayalso present as a discontinuous path in either linear or non-linearform. A discontinuous path would provide a series of shorter,spaced-apart channels that are aligned end to end to present anintermittent path of reduced cross-sectional profile.

As stated previously, the assembly plane P1 generally delimits the upperand lower sections of the multi-vessel reservoir assembly. Arranged inthis way, the assembly plane P1 is located at an intermediate locationrelative to the wall forming the housings 28, 34 of the first and secondfluid vessels 20, 22. As the first and second reservoir members 24, 26are joined along the assembly plane P1, in particular by the combinationof the web 74 and opposing housings 28, 34 within gap G, the adjacentwall sections of the housings 28, 34 forming the first and second fluidvessels 20, 22 are strengthened. Accordingly, in the instance of volumeexpansion in one vessel of the reservoir assembly, dimensional changeswill be reduced across the gap G between the first and second fluidvessels 20, 22.

The multi-vessel reservoir assembly 10 may be made of any suitablethermoplastic, including but not limited to polypropylene, polyethylene,and polycarbonate. The thermoplastic may also include various fillersknown in the art, including but not limited to mineral fillers (i.e.calcium carbonate, talc, etc.) as well as additives, including but notlimited to fibrous additives (i.e. glass fibers, carbon fibers, etc.)

While the multi-vessel reservoir assembly 10 has been exemplified ashaving an assembly plane P1 that is generally horizontal, in effectcomprising the upper and lower reservoir members, other designs of thereservoir assembly may require the assembly plane to be verticallyarranged, for example as shown in FIG. 8 . In this arrangement, amulti-vessel reservoir assembly 110 including a first fluid vessel 120and a second fluid vessel 122 is assembled from a first reservoir member124 and a second reservoir member 126, therein defining a reservoirassembly 110 having a gap G2 as shown. Still further designs maynecessitate an assembly interface that follows a compound angle (notshown).

Although exemplified in the form of a multi-vessel reservoir assembly10, 110 for use in engine cooling systems, the concept could be appliedto combine any of the following systems: a. PAS (hybrid electrohydraulic PAS); b. Coolant—standard engine circuit (high temp); c.Coolant—battery loop (low temp); d. Coolant—water cooled charge aircooler/fuel coolers—intermediate loop; e. Brake fluid circuit; f. Washerfluid circuit; g. Clutch fluid circuit; h. Water spray for air to aircharge air cooler; and i. Vacuum tank.

The multi-vessel reservoir assembly 10, 110 has a number of advantagesover fluid systems used in the prior art. Previous fluid systemsincorporated stand-alone fluid reservoirs, that is one reservoir for onefluid system, and for each fluid reservoir, a separate manufacturingprocess was required. As a substantial improvement over these priorsystems, the embodiments presented herein enable:

-   -   i) the molding operation to be simplified as a single molding        operation can be used to form two independent and        separately-operable fluid vessels, namely in the form of the        first and second reservoir members;    -   ii) the welding operation to be reduced to a single operation as        a result of combining two independent and separately-operable        fluid vessels into the first and second reservoir members (i.e.        the first and second reservoir members can be hot plate welded        in a single operation by the use of a dual cavity weld nest);    -   iii) two fluid system may be combined, resulting in improved        packaging efficiency (i.e. mounting is common for the two        systems), in particular when the two fluid systems involve        different fluid types (i.e. an engine coolant and brake fluid        reservoir);    -   iv) lowered manufacturing costs.

It will be appreciated that while the multi-vessel reservoir assembly 10has been shown as having two thermally and hydraulically isolatedreservoir vessels, in some embodiments, the multi-vessel reservoirassembly 10 may include 3 or more thermally and/or hydraulicallyisolated reservoir vessels.

Relative terms should be construed as such. For example, the term“upper” is meant to be relative to the term “lower,” the term“horizontal” is meant to be relative to the term “vertical”, the term“top” is meant to be relative to the term “bottom”, “inside” is relativeto the term “outside”, “upwards” is meant to be relative to the term“downwards”, and so forth. Unless specifically stated otherwise, theterms “first,” “second,” “third,” and “fourth” are meant solely forpurposes of designation and not for order or for limitation.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented only as illustrations andexamples of the present disclosure, and not by way of limitation. Itwill be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that variouschanges in form and detail can be made therein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope ofthe present disclosure should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only inaccordance with the appended claims and their equivalents. It will alsobe understood that each feature of each embodiment discussed herein, andof each reference cited herein, can be used in combination with thefeatures of any other embodiment. All patents and publications discussedherein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A multi-vessel reservoir assemblycomprising: a first fluid vessel; a second fluid vessel that isindependent and separately operable from the first fluid vessel; and atleast one linkage positioned between the first and second fluid vessels,the at least one linkage serving to maintain the first and second fluidvessels in a fixed and spaced-apart relationship relative to oneanother, wherein the at least one linkage includes at least two primaryconnector elements extending between the first and second fluid vesselsand at least one secondary connector element that is situated to span agap delimited by the at least two primary connector elements.
 2. Themulti-vessel reservoir assembly according to claim 1, wherein each ofthe first fluid vessel and the second fluid vessel includes a housing,and the at least one linkage is attached to each of the housings of thefirst fluid vessel and the second fluid vessel.
 3. The multi-vesselreservoir assembly according to claim 2, wherein the at least onelinkage includes a web that is configured to be positioned between andconnected to the housing of the first fluid vessel and the housing ofthe second fluid vessel.
 4. The multi-vessel reservoir assemblyaccording to claim 3, wherein an orientation of the web is perpendicularto an orientation of at least one of the at least two primary connectorelements.
 5. The multi-vessel reservoir assembly according to claim 3,wherein an orientation of the web is parallel to an orientation of theat least one secondary connector element.
 6. The multi-vessel reservoirassembly of claim 3, wherein the at least one secondary connectorelement, in combination with the web and at least one of the at leasttwo primary connector elements define an isolation pocket.
 7. Themulti-vessel reservoir assembly according to claim 6, wherein theisolation pocket incorporates a vent hole.
 8. The multi-vessel reservoirassembly of claim 3, wherein the web and at least one of the at leasttwo primary connector elements define an isolation cavity.
 9. Themulti-vessel reservoir assembly according to claim 8, wherein theisolation cavity incorporates a vent hole.
 10. The multi-vesselreservoir assembly according to claim 8, wherein the isolation cavityincorporates a drainage hole positioned at an intersection between theweb and at least one of the at least two primary connector elements. 11.The multi-vessel reservoir assembly according to claim 1, wherein thefirst fluid vessel and/or the second fluid vessel further comprises aplurality of internal walls that subdivide the first fluid vessel and/orthe second fluid vessel into a plurality of sub-chambers.
 12. Themulti-vessel reservoir assembly according to claim 11, wherein theplurality of sub-chambers are interconnected through a series ofopenings to establish a fluid path therethrough.
 13. The multi-vesselreservoir assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first fluid vesseland the second fluid vessel are operable under different temperatureand/or pressure conditions.
 14. The multi-vessel reservoir assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the first fluid vessel and the secondfluid vessel are hydraulically separate and are operable with differentfluid loop systems.
 15. A multi-vessel reservoir assembly comprising: afirst reservoir member forming an upper portion of the assembly; asecond reservoir member forming a lower portion of the assembly, andjoined to the first reservoir member along an assembly plane, the firstand second reservoir members defining a first fluid vessel; and a secondfluid vessel that is independent and separately operable from the firstfluid vessel; and at least one linkage positioned between the first andsecond fluid vessels, the at least one linkage serving to maintain thefirst and second fluid vessels in fixed and spaced-apart relationshiprelative to one another, wherein the at least one linkage includes atleast two primary connector elements extending between the first andsecond fluid vessels, at least one web positioned at the assembly planebetween the first and second fluid vessels, and at least one secondaryconnector element that is situated to span a gap delimited by the atleast two primary connector elements, and wherein the at least onesecondary connector element in combination with the web and the at leasttwo primary connector elements define an isolation pocket.
 16. Themulti-vessel reservoir assembly according to claim 15, wherein theisolation pocket incorporates at least one vent hole provided in the webto permit for fluid drainage and pressure equilibration with an outsideatmosphere.
 17. The multi-vessel reservoir assembly according to claim15, wherein the first fluid vessel and/or the second fluid vesselincludes a plurality of internal walls that subdivide the first fluidvessel and/or the second fluid vessel into a plurality of sub-chambers,wherein the plurality of sub-chambers are interconnected through aseries of openings to establish a fluid path therethrough.
 18. Themulti-vessel reservoir assembly according to claim 15, wherein the firstfluid vessel and the second fluid vessel are operable under differenttemperature and/or pressure conditions.
 19. The multi-vessel reservoirassembly according to claim 15, wherein the first fluid vessel and thesecond fluid vessel are hydraulically separate and are operable withdifferent fluid loop systems.